The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion
The Pembroke Hotel
A panel discussion on the position of the arts in a time of recession. Come along and have your say!

Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe
Set Theatre
Two acclaimed Irish writers share their latest work in the Set

Resurgam & the Irish Baroque Orchestra, directed by Christophe Rousset
St Canice’s Cathedral
Celebrated choir Resurgam joins forces with festival favourites the Irish Baroque Orchestra to perform Baroque masterpieces, directed by Christophe Rousset

Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly
St Canice’s Cathedral
A rare chance to hear, and question, one of Ireland's most forthright and prescient economists

Christophe Rousset
St. John’s Priory
Flamboyant harpsichordist Christophe Rousset performs works by Francois and Louis Couperin

Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella
The Parade Tower
The future of Irish fiction comes to Kilkenny in the form of three fresh and exciting new voices

The Great Natural Resources Debate
The Parade Tower
Join a distinguished panel of speakers to debate the pros and cons of Ireland's energy policy.

Title & Deed
Barnstorm Theatre
Gare St Lazare Players Ireland are back with the world premiere of Title and Deed, a new piece specially-written for the company by acclaimed American playwright Will Eno

Tobias Wolff & David Vann
The Watergate Theatre
David Vann makes a welcome return to the festival in the company of one of the greatest of contemporary American writers, Tobias Wolff

Agnes Obel with Cian Nugent
St Canice’s Cathedral
Harmonic presents Agnes Obel who can weave a spell with little more than a voice, a piano, and an array of deceptively simple melodies. Supported by Cian Nugent.

Alessandro Taverna
St Canice’s Cathedral
An outstanding young Venetian pianist presents a mouthwatering programme of popular favourites

John Banville writing as Benjamin Black
The Parade Tower
The acclaimed crime writer discusses literature, crime and alter egos with literary critic Michael Wood

Emmy The Great
St. John’s Priory
Emma-Lee Moss's exquisite melodies and thoughtful lyrics guarantee this to be one of the stand-out gigs of the festival.

The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion
The Pembroke Hotel
A panel discussion on the position of the arts in a time of recession. Come along and have your say!

Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe
Set Theatre
Two acclaimed Irish writers share their latest work in the Set

Resurgam & the Irish Baroque Orchestra, directed by Christophe Rousset
St Canice’s Cathedral
Celebrated choir Resurgam joins forces with festival favourites the Irish Baroque Orchestra to perform Baroque masterpieces, directed by Christophe Rousset

Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly
St Canice’s Cathedral
A rare chance to hear, and question, one of Ireland's most forthright and prescient economists

Christophe Rousset
St. John’s Priory
Flamboyant harpsichordist Christophe Rousset performs works by Francois and Louis Couperin

Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella
The Parade Tower
The future of Irish fiction comes to Kilkenny in the form of three fresh and exciting new voices

The Great Natural Resources Debate
The Parade Tower
Join a distinguished panel of speakers to debate the pros and cons of Ireland's energy policy.

Title & Deed
Barnstorm Theatre
Gare St Lazare Players Ireland are back with the world premiere of Title and Deed, a new piece specially-written for the company by acclaimed American playwright Will Eno

Tobias Wolff & David Vann
The Watergate Theatre
David Vann makes a welcome return to the festival in the company of one of the greatest of contemporary American writers, Tobias Wolff

Agnes Obel with Cian Nugent
St Canice’s Cathedral
Harmonic presents Agnes Obel who can weave a spell with little more than a voice, a piano, and an array of deceptively simple melodies. Supported by Cian Nugent.

Alessandro Taverna
St Canice’s Cathedral
An outstanding young Venetian pianist presents a mouthwatering programme of popular favourites

John Banville writing as Benjamin Black
The Parade Tower
The acclaimed crime writer discusses literature, crime and alter egos with literary critic Michael Wood

Emmy The Great
St. John’s Priory
Emma-Lee Moss's exquisite melodies and thoughtful lyrics guarantee this to be one of the stand-out gigs of the festival.

Agnes Obel with Cian Nugent
St Canice’s Cathedral
Harmonic presents Agnes Obel who can weave a spell with little more than a voice, a piano, and an array of deceptively simple melodies. Supported by Cian Nugent.

Alessandro Taverna
St Canice’s Cathedral
An outstanding young Venetian pianist presents a mouthwatering programme of popular favourites

Belinda McKeon, Kevin Barry & Paul Murray, Introduced by Cormac Kinsella
The Parade Tower
The future of Irish fiction comes to Kilkenny in the form of three fresh and exciting new voices

Christophe Rousset
St. John’s Priory
Flamboyant harpsichordist Christophe Rousset performs works by Francois and Louis Couperin

Dermot Healy & Patrick McCabe
Set Theatre
Two acclaimed Irish writers share their latest work in the Set

Emmy The Great
St. John’s Priory
Emma-Lee Moss's exquisite melodies and thoughtful lyrics guarantee this to be one of the stand-out gigs of the festival.

Hubert Butler Lecture Professor Morgan Kelly
St Canice’s Cathedral
A rare chance to hear, and question, one of Ireland's most forthright and prescient economists

John Banville writing as Benjamin Black
The Parade Tower
The acclaimed crime writer discusses literature, crime and alter egos with literary critic Michael Wood

Resurgam & the Irish Baroque Orchestra, directed by Christophe Rousset
St Canice’s Cathedral
Celebrated choir Resurgam joins forces with festival favourites the Irish Baroque Orchestra to perform Baroque masterpieces, directed by Christophe Rousset

The Arts Are A Luxury We Can’t Afford Right Now! - Panel Discussion
The Pembroke Hotel
A panel discussion on the position of the arts in a time of recession. Come along and have your say!

The Great Natural Resources Debate
The Parade Tower
Join a distinguished panel of speakers to debate the pros and cons of Ireland's energy policy.

Title & Deed
Barnstorm Theatre
Gare St Lazare Players Ireland are back with the world premiere of Title and Deed, a new piece specially-written for the company by acclaimed American playwright Will Eno

Tobias Wolff & David Vann
The Watergate Theatre
David Vann makes a welcome return to the festival in the company of one of the greatest of contemporary American writers, Tobias Wolff

Help me Choose
Every year the Kilkenny Arts Festival brings so many amazing events to our city that its almost impossible to make sure you find all the events that may appeal to you. So we've put on our thinking caps and come up with this simple reference to suggest events you may not have considered.
My First Festival
This is my first time at an arts festival. I want to see what this festival is all about. I haven't heard of a lot of these names before and I'd like suggestions on what might be great to see.
My Inspiring Festival
I want to think. I want to get out of my comfort zone and confront the world head on. I don't want to be spoon fed. I want to be blown away. I want to argue.
My Surprising Festival
I want to find those hidden gems - things I may not have heard of but once I've experienced I will never forget.
My Alternative Festival
I want to see edgier, grittier more experimental stuff. I want to dance, have some fun. I want to stay up late.


















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